Albany Area Chamber discusses potential loss of metropolitan status

(ALBANY, GA) – The Good Life City may not be in a good position when it comes to its status as a metropolitan area.

The City of Albany is one of more than 100 U.S. Cities that could be on the verge of losing their metropolitan status, as designation for a city may be raised from 50 thousand people…

“The recommendation before the federal office of budget management would raise it to 100 thousand. So it would strip 144 communities of their msa designations. That’s a big deal.” says Barbara Rivera-Holmes, the president of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce’s in response to the prospect of the good life city’s possible downgrade.

With a population just over 73,000, Albany would lose their status as a metropolitan area, the 8th largest in Georgia.

And with it, would come the loss of millions of dollars.

Rivera-Holmes tells us, “Potential loss of MSA status is the loss of significant federal dollars. Tens of millions of federal dollars that we’re currently receiving.”

The City of Albany potentially losing their metropolitan status goes beyond just lost federal dollars. It’s impact would go far beyond the Good Life City.

“There’s a five county metropolitan statistical area. That includes Dougherty and four other counties. They’re all in the MSA. So it’s something that impacts not just the City of Albany but our entire region,” says Rivera-Holmes.

From the local level up to the federal level, state officials say they are working to prevent that from happening.

Rivera-Holmes says there’s no set timetable for the decision at this time.

She tells us, “We have shared our position with the State Legislative Delegation, with our partners in this area, with the Governor’s Office and activated the Albany Area Chamber membership to take action.”

To get in touch with your Representatives and Congressmen, you can visit the chamber’s Facebook page.